Long Beach has a confirmed case of measles in a child who recently returned from traveling internationally.
According to the Long Beach Health Department, the infected patient was at MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center Emergency Department, 2801 Atlantic Ave., from 9 p.m. on June 3 to 10 a.m. on June 4 and 6:30 a.m. to noon on June 6.
The risk of local transmission is currently considered low, but anyone who may have encountered the patient during that time should check their measles vaccination status, the Health Department advised.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air via coughing, sneezing or being in a room with an infected person, even up to one hour after they have left the area, according to the Health Department.
Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 after high vaccination rates stopped its spread within the country, but infections have spiked this year, with 1,197 cases across dozens of states where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tracked 21 separate outbreaks.
Symptoms of measles can appear between 7 and 21 days after exposure.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or are unsure of their vaccination status should monitor for symptoms through June 27.
They may include a high fever, cough, a rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward, a runny nose and red and watery eyes.
If symptoms develop, the Health Department advises people to stay home and call a health care provider immediately for guidance.
There is no specific treatment for measles, with care focusing on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
Most people recover within two weeks. However, measles can lead to serious complications, especially for infants, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccines are available through healthcare providers, pharmacies and the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic.
With two doses, the vaccine is about 97% effective, the Health Department said. One dose gives about 93% protection.
The Health Department recommends that children receive the first dose at 12-15 months old and the second at 4–6 years old. Before traveling internationally, babies 6–11 months of age should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine.
Travelers should also ensure everyone 12 months and older is up to date with two doses of the MMR vaccine. If they’re not up to date, they should get two doses at least 28 days apart.
Anyone born after 1957 who has not been vaccinated or is unsure of their status should receive the MMR vaccine.
Additional information and resources on measles are available at longbeach.gov/measles or by calling the public information line at 562-570-7907.